Stevia plant named ‘AKH L4’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  stevia  plant named ‘AKH L4’, characterized by its combination of early harvest cycle, dark green leaves, medium number of nodes on the main stem, high number of basal buds, high Rebaudiosido A of total Glycoside Steviol content, and high yielding of dried leaves at harvest.

Genus and species: Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni.

Variety denomination: ‘AKH L4’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘AKH L4’.

The new stevia plant cultivar is a selection resulting from a controlled breeding program of stevia plants at Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay in 2006 through the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘AKH/G.8.D.’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘Eirete’ (unpatented). The new cultivar was selected as a single plant within a population of plants resulting from this controlled pollination of stevia plants in 2006 at an experimental station at Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay. Selection criteria was a combination of Rebaudioside A content equal to more than 50% of total steviol glycols, high yield of leaves per hectare, and resistance to leaf spot diseases. 91.5% of the Total Glycoside Steviols are present in the leaves of the claimed variety, with the remaining 8.5% of the Total Glycoside Steviols present in the stems and branches of the claimed variety. The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the Experimental Station of Pure Circle South America at Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2007at Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay in field nurseries has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

The new variety can be compared to the seed parent ‘AKH/G.8.D.’ In Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay the leaf shape of ‘AKH L4’ is ovo-lanceolate whereas the leaf shape of ‘AKH/G.8.D.’ is oval. The percentage of Stevioside of ‘AKH L4’ is 3.6% whereas the percentage of Stevioside of ‘AKH/G.8.D.’ is 18%. The percentage of Rebaudioside A of ‘AKH L4’ is 9.9% whereas the percentage of Rebaudioside A of ‘AKH/G.8.D.’ is 0%.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘AKH L4’ as a new and distinct cultivar of a stevia plant:

-   -   1. early harvest cycle     -   2. dark green leaf     -   3. medium number of nodes on main stem     -   4. many basal buds     -   5. Stevioside content 3.6%     -   6. Rebaudioside A content 9.9%     -   7. total of Stevioside+Rebaudioside A 13.5%     -   8. 73% Rebaudioside A of total Glycoside Steviol     -   9. Ranges from 5,500 to 6,000 kg/ha of dried leaves in four cuts

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘AKH L4’.

FIG. 1 illustrates an ‘AKH L4’ plant from roots to top of the plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates ‘AKH L4’ leaves.

FIG. 3 illustrates an ‘AKH L4’ leaf, including the shape and dimensions.

FIG. 4 illustrates the branches, without leaves, of an ‘AKH L4’ plant.

FIG. 5 illustrates the flowers of an ‘AKH L4’ plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a stevia plant known as ‘AKH L4’. Plant observations were made on plants grown in Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made in February 2008 of mature ‘AKH L4’ plants (age 6 months) grown in outdoor field plantings with day temperature ranging from 25° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranging from 22° C. to 30° C., and light levels ranging from 20 to 25 klux. ‘AKH L4’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Botanical classification: Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bertoni cultivar     AKH L4. -   Parentage:     -   -   Parents.—Seed parent ‘AKH/G.8.D.’(unpatented); pollen parent             ‘Eirete’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—Shrubby Perennial.         -   Growth habit.—Erect; Main stem with dominance of axillary             buds and a good development of lateral branches from the             axillary buds.         -   Height.—50 cm to 55 cm.         -   Number of nodes on main stem.—Between 21 to 30 nodes.         -   Number of basal buds.—11 to 15 basal buds per plant.         -   Harvest cycle.—Early. -   Leaves:     -   -   Length.—4.48 cm.         -   Width.—1.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovo-lanceolate.         -   New foliage.—Green RHS 140B.         -   Mature foliage.—Green RHS 140A.         -   Upper surface mature foliage.—Green RHS 140A.         -   Lower surface mature foliage.—Green RHS 142A.         -   Veins.—Green RHS 142A.         -   Young shoots.—Green RHS 142B.         -   Mature shoots.—Yellow-Green RHS 144C.         -   Leaf edge.—Moderately sawn.         -   Stevioside content.—3.6%.         -   Rebaudioside A content.—9.9%.         -   % of rebaudioside A of total glycoside steviol.—73%.         -   Total of stevioside and rebaudioside A.—13.5%. -   Flowers:     -   -   Petals.—White RHS 155C.         -   Bloom period.—Bloom dates (calculated from planting date):             Start of Blooming 90 days; End of Blooming 120 days in             Guayaibi, San Pedro, Paraguay.         -   Pedicel length.—2-3 mm.         -   Peduncle length.—1-3 mm.         -   Petiole length.—1.5-2 mm.         -   Number of flowers per capitulum.—Five.         -   Productivity.—Yielding of dried leaves in four cuts 5,5000             kg/ha to 6,000 kg/ha.         -   Cold hardiness.—Cold tolerance from 0° C.         -   Heat tolerance.—Heat tolerance to 45° C.         -   Pathogen resistance.—Moderately resistant to Septoria             steviae.         -   Leaf harvest period.—Four harvests per year; August,             November, February, and April in Guayaibi, San Pedro,             Paraguay.

TABLE 1 Comparison with parents AKH/G.8.D. Eirete AKH L4 (Seed Parent) (Pollen Parent) Plant: height 50 cm-55 cm 50 cm-55 cm 80 cm Leaf: color dark green dark green dark green Leaf: shape ovo-lanceolate oval lanceolate Leaf: edge moderately Scalloped strongly sawn sawn or notched Stevioside content: 3.6% 18% 10.4% Rebaudioside A content: 9.9% 0% 11.3% Number of basal buds 11-15 buds 11-15 buds 6-10 buds per plant per plant per plant 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of stevia plant named ‘AKH L4’, substantially as herein shown and described. 